BELLAGHY PRIMARY SCHOOL
POLICY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION IN SCHOOL
1. INTRODUCTION
The Board of Governors and staff at Bellaghy Primary School wish to ensure that
pupils with medication needs receive appropriate care and support at school.
From time to time, parents request that the school should administer medicines to
children at regular intervals during the school day.
While the Principal will accept responsibility, in principle, for members of staff
giving or supervising pupils taking prescribed medication, there is no obligation for
staff to do so.
Please note - Parents should keep their children at home if acutely unwell or
infectious.
2. CATEGORIES OF ILLNESS
2: 1 CATEGORY ONE – MINOR AILMENTS, COUGHS, COLDS, SORE
THROATS
2:1:1
No member of staff will administer medication to any child with a minor ailment.
Cough sweets eg tunes may be taken if necessary. These will be self administered.
2:1:2
If a child has been prescribed e.g. an antibiotic, this can be administered prior to
coming to school and again on arriving home. There is no obligation for antibiotics
to be administered during school hours.
2:2 CATEGORY TWO – MEDICATION REQUIRED FOR MORE LONG
TERM ILLNESS e.g. asthma, diabetes etc
2:2:1
Parents are responsible for providing the Principal with comprehensive information
regarding the pupil’s condition and medication plan. (see Forms AM1 and AM2)
2:2:2
Prescribed medication will not be accepted in school without complete written and
signed instructions from the parent
2:2:3
Staff will not give a non prescribed medicine to a child unless there is specific
written consent from the parent.
2:2:4
Only reasonable quantities of medication should be supplied to school e.g. a
maximum of four weeks supply at any one time.
2:2:5
All medication must be delivered to the Principal by a parent in a secure and labelled
container as originally dispensed. Each item of medication must be clearly labelled
with the following information:
 Pupil’s name
 Name of medication
 Dosage
 Frequency of administration
 Date of dispensing
 Storage requirements
 Expiry Date
THE SCHOOL WILL NOT ACCEPT ITEMS OF MEDICATION IN UNLABELLED
CONTAINERS
2:2:6
Medication will be kept in a secure place, out of reach of pupils.
2:2:7
The school will keep records which will be available for parents. (See Form AM4)
2:2:8
If a child refuses to take medicine, staff will not force them to do so. Parent will be
informed of the refusal as a matter of urgency. If a refusal results in an emergency,
the school’s emergency procedures will be followed.
2:2:9
It is the responsibility of the parent to notify the school in writing if the pupil’s need
for medication has changed or ceased.
2:2:10
It is the parent’s responsibility to renew the medication when supplies are running
low and to ensure that the medication supplied is within expiry date.
2:2:11
The school will not make changes to dosages on parental instruction.
2:2:12
School staff will not dispose of medicines. All medicines should be collected by the
parent at the end of each term.
2:2:13
For each pupil with a long term or complex medication need, a Medication Plan will
be drawn up in conjunction with health professionals – See Form AM1
2:2:14
Where it is appropriate to do so, pupils P4 and above will be encouraged to
administer their own medication, if necessary under staff supervision. This
medication will remain in the child’s school bag. Parents will be asked to confirm in
writing if they wish their child to carry and take their medication at school. (See
Form AM3)
2:2:15
Staff who volunteer to assist in the administration of medication will receive
appropriate training/ guidance through the School Health Service.
2:2:16
The school will make every effort to continue the administration of medication to a
pupil whilst on a school trip, even if additional arrangements might be required.
However, there may be occasions when it is impossible to include a pupil on a school
trip if appropriate supervision can not be guaranteed.
2:2:17
All staff are aware of the procedure to be followed in the event of an emergency.
3.EMERGENCY PROCEDURE (in the event of an accident or sudden illness)
One member of staff dials 999 and requests ambulance support. Be prepared to tell
your exact location and nature of the illness or accident. Another member of staff
remains with the child. Due to the proximity of Bellaghy Health Centre, an adult
may seeks professional help from there. An adult must remain with the child at all
times if possible.
Bellaghy Health Centre – 79386228
Doctor available – 8.30a.m. – 6.00p.m. – Monday – Friday
Updated – February 2014 MLR
Form AM1
Name of School
____________________________________________________
MEDICATION PLAN FOR A PUPIL WITH MEDICAL NEEDS
Date ______________________Review Date ________________________
Name of Pupil _____________________Date of Birth ____ / ____ / ____
Class ________
National Health Number ________________________
Medical Diagnosis ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Contact Information
1 Family Contact 1
Name
__________________________________________________________
Phone No (home/mobile) ________________________
(work) ________________________
Relationship ___________________
2 Family Contact 2
Phone No (home/mobile) ________________________
(work) ________________________
Relationship ___________________
3 GP
Name
__________________________________________________________
Phone No ________________________
4 Clinic/Hospital Contact
Name
__________________________________________________________
Phone No ________________________
Plan prepared by
Name __________________________
Designation _____________________
Date ______________________
Describe condition and give details of pupil’s individual symptoms
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Daily care requirements (e.g. before sport, dietary, therapy, nursing needs)
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Members of staff trained to administer medication for this child (state if
different for off site activities)
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Describe what constitutes an emergency for the child, and the action to take if
this occurs
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Follow up care
_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
I agree that the medical information contained in this form may be shared with
individuals involved with the care and education of
Signed _____________________ Date _________________
Parent/carer
Distribution
School Doctor __________________ School Nurse ___________________
Parent _____________________ Other _____________________
Form AM2
Name of School
____________________________________________________
REQUEST FOR A SCHOOL TO ADMINISTER MEDICATION
The school will not give your child medicine unless you complete and sign this
form, and the Principal has agreed that school staff can administer the
medicine.
Details of Pupil
Surname ___________________ Forename(s) _______________________
Address
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Date of Birth ____ / ____ / ____ M F 
Class ______________________________________________
Condition or illness ______________________________________________
Medication
Parents must ensure that in date properly labelled medication is
supplied.
Name/Type of Medication (as described on the container)
______________________________________________________________
Date dispensed ______________________
Expiry Date ______________________
Full Directions for use
Dosage and method
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
NB Dosage can only be changed on a Doctor’s instructions
Timing ____________________________________________________
Special precautions
____________________________________________________
Are there any side effects that the School needs to know about?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Self Administration Yes/No (delete as appropriate)
Procedures to take in an Emergency
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Contact Details
Name _____________________________________
Phone No (home/mobile) ______________________
(work) _______________________
Relationship to Pupil __________________________
Address
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
I understand that I must deliver the medicine personally to
_____________________(agreed member of staff) and accept that this is a
service, which the school is not obliged to undertake. I understand that I must
notify the school of any changes in writing.
Signature(s) ___________________________ Date __________________
Agreement of Principal
I agree that _____________________________ (name of child) will receive
____________________________ (quantity and name of medicine) every
day at______________________ (time(s) medicine to be administered e.g.
lunchtime or afternoon break).
This child will be given/supervised whilst he/she takes their medication by
_____________________________ (name of staff member).
This arrangement will continue until _____________________________
(either end date of course of medicine or until instructed by parents).
Signed ____________________________ Date ______________________
(The Principal/authorised member of staff)
The original should be retained on the school file and a copy sent to
the parents to confirm the school’s agreement to administer
medication to the named pupil.
Form AM3
Name of School
____________________________________________________
REQUEST FOR PUPIL TO CARRY HIS/HER MEDICATION
This form must be completed by parents/carers.
If staff have any concerns discuss this request with healthcare professionals.
Details of Pupil
Surname ___________________ Forename(s) ________________________
Address_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Date of Birth ____ / ____ / ____
Class ________________________
Condition or illness ______________________________________________
Medication
Parents must ensure that in date properly labelled medication is
supplied.
Name of Medicine
______________________________________________________________
Procedures to be taken in an emergency
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Contact Details
Name _______________________________
Phone No (home/mobile) _____________________
(work) ________________________
Relationship to child _____________________
I would like my child to keep his/her medication on him/her for
use as necessary.
Signed ___________________________ Date ______________________
Relationship to child ___________________
Agreement of Principal
I agree that _____________________________ (name of child) will be
allowed to carry and self administer his/her medication whilst in school and
that this arrangement will continue until ______________________ (either
end date of course of medication or until instructed by parents).
Signed ___________________________ Date ______________________
(The Principal/authorised member of staff)
The original should be retained on the school file and a copy sent
to the parents to confirm the school’s agreement to the named
pupil carrying his/her own medication.
Form AM4
Name of School
____________________________________________________
RECORD OF MEDICINE ADMINISTERED TO AN INDIVIDUAL CHILD
Surname ________________________
Forename(s) _____________________
Date of Birth ____ /____ /____ M F 
Class __________
Condition or illness
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Date medicine provided by parent ________________
Name and strength of medicine
_____________________________________
Quantity received _____________
Expiry date ____ / ____ / ____
Quantity returned _____________
Dose and frequency of medicine __________________
Checked by:
Staff signature _______________Signature of parent __________________
Date ____/____/____
Time given ____________
Dose given ___________
Any reactions ___________
Name of member of staff ______________
Staff initials _______________
Time given ____________
Dose given ___________
Any reactions ___________
Name of member of staff ______________
Staff initials _______________
Date ____/____/____
Time given ____________
Dose given ___________
Any reactions ___________
Name of member of staff ______________
Staff initials _______________
etc, etc